Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today, I would like to draw your attention to income support programs and the list of allowable expenses under the act. Mr. Speaker, a telephone is not a necessity under the act. If you ask the department why this is, they will tell you they allocate a certain amount of money to each person on social assistance and leave it up to them as to decide how they wish to spend the money.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell you the way I see it. Let us imagine a mother with two young children. How much money would this mother receive each month to house, feed, and clothe herself and her children? Mr. Speaker, we could presumably have rent for $750, utilities for $300, food for $500, earned income of $400; employment income of $600. They would have to have $200 of that $600 clawed back. This month, the parent can expect to receive $1,350, and after paying the bills, this might leave that parent with $400. Mr. Speaker, that is about $100 per week. Mr. Speaker, let us think about other expenses this parent would have to pay out of that $100 a week. They have laundry, probably a few loads a week knowing kids. They have field trips and sports. Sports for the children requires equipment. You know the price of those types of expenses. I could go on, but I am sure I have made my point.

The extra $50 phone bill expense would be a burden to this parent. Mr. Speaker, I have to bring to your attention our new Tele-Care NWT service won't be much use to this parent without a telephone to call this service. Ironically, Mr. Speaker, I might add, neither can they afford to take a taxi to the hospital. This phone service is supposed to prevent this because transportation costs are not included under allowable expenses.

Mr. Speaker, in this day and age, a telephone is a necessary expense. I would encourage the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment to consider these numbers and re-evaluate the position on this important expense. Later this afternoon, I will be having questions for the Minister responsible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause